Bucs' Martin not sneaking up on opponents

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Doug Martin runs for yardage against the Arizona Cardinals during their game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Sunday. Arizona defeated Tampa Bay 13-10.

LAKELAND LEDGER PHOTO / SCOTT WHEELER

RICK BROWN, Lakeland Ledger

Published: Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at 9:25 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at 9:25 p.m.

TAMPA - Not many teams planned for Tampa Bay running back Doug Martin in 2012.

The little back from little Boise State made teams pay, rushing for more than 1,400 yards and finding himself in the Pro Bowl.

This year, he's not sneaking up on anyone. He's averaging 3.4 yards per carry and has only one touchdown as teams specifically go out to stop him.

The Bucs know if Martin is going to get going, he is going to need help from the passing game — particularly the deep passing game.

Arizona repeatedly put eight and sometimes nine guys near the line of scrimmage — daring Tampa Bay to throw the ball. Martin ran 27 times for 45 yards in the 13-10 loss to the Cardinals.

“I definitely think you have to loosen people up with the pass game,” coach Greg Schiano said. “If you can't throw the ball, it's awfully hard. Anytime a defense can make an offense one dimensional, whichever way it is, then it certainly tilts the field in favor of the defense. ...You do need to throw the football effectively to get them to respect the throw and back a guy out or at least be not quite as aggressive when they drop (the safety) down.”

In 2012, Tampa Bay made teams pay for stacking the box.

The Bucs had 57 plays of 20 yards or more and 16 plays of 40 yards or more in 2012. The club was 10th in passing and averaged 4.4 yards per rush, which was 11th in the league.

This year, the Bucs have just 12 plays of 20 yards or more and no play of 40 yards or more. Tampa Bay is also averaging 5.6 yards per pass this year. Tampa Bay is next to last in the league in total yards, passing yards per game and passing yards per play.

That impacts the run game, which is averaging just 3.6 yards per rush.

Quarterback Mike Glennon, who made his first start against Arizona, knows the passing game must pick up. His longest pass went for 20 yards against Arizona.

“I think we will,” Glennon said of throwing the ball down field more. “At the same time, we want to get completions. And if something underneath is there, I'm going to take it.

“Yeah, as we continue to evolve, hopefully we'll get some deep passes down there and that will help our running game out.”

While Martin is not the kind of back to complain, he would appreciate the help.

“We've got to face reality,” Martin said. “That's what defenses seem to do, stack the box and stop the run and force the quarterback to throw the ball. We've just got to be able to throw and catch.”

NOTES:

The signing of receiver Tiquan Underwood became official Wednesday

Tampa Bay claimed safety Kelcie McCray off waivers from the Miami Dolphins. McCray is 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds and is in his second season

Receiver Kevin Ogletree, who was released by the Bucs on Tuesday, was picked up by the Detroit Lions.

<p><em>TAMPA</em> - Not many teams planned for Tampa Bay running back Doug Martin in 2012.</p><p>The little back from little Boise State made teams pay, rushing for more than 1,400 yards and finding himself in the Pro Bowl.</p><p>This year, he's not sneaking up on anyone. He's averaging 3.4 yards per carry and has only one touchdown as teams specifically go out to stop him.</p><p>The Bucs know if Martin is going to get going, he is going to need help from the passing game — particularly the deep passing game.</p><p>Arizona repeatedly put eight and sometimes nine guys near the line of scrimmage — daring Tampa Bay to throw the ball. Martin ran 27 times for 45 yards in the 13-10 loss to the Cardinals.</p><p>“I definitely think you have to loosen people up with the pass game,” coach Greg Schiano said. “If you can't throw the ball, it's awfully hard. Anytime a defense can make an offense one dimensional, whichever way it is, then it certainly tilts the field in favor of the defense. ...You do need to throw the football effectively to get them to respect the throw and back a guy out or at least be not quite as aggressive when they drop (the safety) down.”</p><p>In 2012, Tampa Bay made teams pay for stacking the box.</p><p>The Bucs had 57 plays of 20 yards or more and 16 plays of 40 yards or more in 2012. The club was 10th in passing and averaged 4.4 yards per rush, which was 11th in the league.</p><p>This year, the Bucs have just 12 plays of 20 yards or more and no play of 40 yards or more. Tampa Bay is also averaging 5.6 yards per pass this year. Tampa Bay is next to last in the league in total yards, passing yards per game and passing yards per play.</p><p>That impacts the run game, which is averaging just 3.6 yards per rush.</p><p>Quarterback Mike Glennon, who made his first start against Arizona, knows the passing game must pick up. His longest pass went for 20 yards against Arizona.</p><p>“I think we will,” Glennon said of throwing the ball down field more. “At the same time, we want to get completions. And if something underneath is there, I'm going to take it.</p><p>“Yeah, as we continue to evolve, hopefully we'll get some deep passes down there and that will help our running game out.”</p><p>While Martin is not the kind of back to complain, he would appreciate the help.</p><p>“We've got to face reality,” Martin said. “That's what defenses seem to do, stack the box and stop the run and force the quarterback to throw the ball. We've just got to be able to throw and catch.”</p><h3>NOTES:</h3>
<p>The signing of receiver Tiquan Underwood became official Wednesday</p><p>Tampa Bay claimed safety Kelcie McCray off waivers from the Miami Dolphins. McCray is 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds and is in his second season</p><p>Receiver Kevin Ogletree, who was released by the Bucs on Tuesday, was picked up by the Detroit Lions.</p>